Two years ago, when the Mets were hurting for an ace, Minaya took some heat because he was as aggressive in his pursuit of Zito as a cow grazing in a field. At the time, Barry was fixing on becoming the richest pitcher in the game and the Metsies were the early favorites to land his services.

If the Wilpons break open the piggy bank to sign Zito back then, you can probably forget about seeing Johan Santana in a blue and orange uni.